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FAQ - Grade 8

1.  Can I use SchoolNet Plus funding to purchase Thin Client?
2.  Can school districts use SchoolNet Plus Grade 8 funds for administrative costs, such as costs for overhead to run the project and/or fiscal operations, etc.?
3.  Which districts are eligible for SchoolNet Plus Grade 8, and what are their allocation amounts?
4.  If a district has met the requirement of 1 computer for 5 students in all grades, K-12, can it use SchoolNet Plus Grade 8 funds to replace/update computers in the lower grades?
5.  Can our district purchase from a local vendor if we can get good pricing?
6.  Would it be possible to buy PDAs for our district's administrators with the 30% of the SchoolNet Plus Grade 8 allocation?
7.  If I purchase equipment to meet the intent of the SchoolNet Plus Grade 8 initiative using local funds before I receive the SchoolNet Plus Grade 8 funds, can the district be reimbursed with SchoolNet Plus Grade 8 funds once the allocation is passed to the district?
8.  If my district purchased computers for the eighth-grade level prior to receiving SchoolNet Plus Grade 8 funding, does that equipment need to meet the current eTech Ohio equipment guidelines?
9.  After completing my online application, when can my district expect to receive funds?
10.  My district was not able to meet the 1:5 computer ratio in Grade 7. Is it possible to use SchoolNet Plus Grade 8 funds to place computers in grade 7 classrooms?
11.  Does my district need a current approved technology plan in order to receive SchoolNet Plus Grade 8 funding?
12.  How much of my SchoolNet Plus Grade 8 funds can my district use to lease laptop/notebooks computers?
13.  I have printed and completed the Assurance Form. How and where should I send the form?
14.  My district has met the legislative intent of providing 1:5 computer ratio in Grades K-7. What can I do with the funding?
15.  What is the timeline for application, approval and funding for eligible districts?
16.  Why is my school listed as $0.00 allocation?
17.  I'm listed as a $0.00 allocation, do I need to apply?
18.  Can I purchase Smartboards with SN+ dollars?
19.  Is equipment recycling an allowable expenditure?
20.  Can my district use SchoolNet Plus funds to upgrade/replace aging equipment?
21.  Why does my application status read "You have already submitted the maximum number of applications for this opportunity."?


1. Can I use SchoolNet Plus funding to purchase Thin Client?     Top
Yes. FY08 SchoolNet Plus guidelines permit the purchase of Thin Client using grant funds.
2. Can school districts use SchoolNet Plus Grade 8 funds for administrative costs, such as costs for overhead to run the project and/or fiscal operations, etc.?     Top
No. Districts cannot use SchoolNet Plus Grade 8 funds for administrative or operational cost for the project. Districts may use a portion of the funds for technology support personnel, but no funding for operational overhead costs.
3. Which districts are eligible for SchoolNet Plus Grade 8, and what are their allocation amounts?     Top
Ohio local, city and exempted village school districts are eligible if they served students in Grade 8 in FY07 and did not receive SchoolNet Plus Grant funds in FY06 or FY07. Community Schools that have served Grade 8 students since FY05 and did not receive SchoolNet Plus funds in FY06 or FY07 are also eligible for SchoolNet Plus Grade 8 funds in FY2008. Educational Service Centers that provided direct instruction to students in Grade 8 last year are encouraged to work with the students' home districts to receive funding to support the acquisition of computers for Grade 8 classrooms. All eligible entities must have a current (less than three-year-old), eTech Ohio approved technology plan to be considered for grant approval. Allocations can be viewed under your school district's organization profile in Hall Pass.
4. If a district has met the requirement of 1 computer for 5 students in all grades, K-12, can it use SchoolNet Plus Grade 8 funds to replace/update computers in the lower grades?     Top
Yes. Please note that new classroom computer purchases should meet or exceed eTech Ohio equipment guidelines. (Link to guidelines document)
5. Can our district purchase from a local vendor if we can get good pricing?     Top
A district may purchase from a local vendor only if the products meet or exceed the eTech Ohio equipment guidelines and if the vendor's pricing is the same or lower than the pricing established through eTech Ohio's contracts. Districts are required as part of the SchoolNet Plus Grade 8 application to attach a quote with the equipment specifications if they wish to purchase from a vendor that is not contracted with eTech Ohio. Visit the eTech Ohio Equipment and Services Catalog to view the newest equipment available. It is important to note that in order to access the eTech Ohio Equipment and Services Catalog, users will need an eTech Ohio Hall Pass. If you have not done so already, set up a Hall Pass account. It's quick and easy and will open the door to a wide range of eTech Ohio grants, funding and opportunities for you and your organization.
6. Would it be possible to buy PDAs for our district's administrators with the 30% of the SchoolNet Plus Grade 8 allocation?     Top
No. The intent of SchoolNet Plus Grade 8 legislation is to provide students and teachers access to technology in the classrooms. Districts should use local funds for administrative and clerical technology access and support.
7. If I purchase equipment to meet the intent of the SchoolNet Plus Grade 8 initiative using local funds before I receive the SchoolNet Plus Grade 8 funds, can the district be reimbursed with SchoolNet Plus Grade 8 funds once the allocation is passed to the district?     Top
No. SchoolNet Plus funds must be received and expended directly from Fund Code 450.
8. If my district purchased computers for the eighth-grade level prior to receiving SchoolNet Plus Grade 8 funding, does that equipment need to meet the current eTech Ohio equipment guidelines?     Top
No. This equipment does not have to meet current standards. Only new purchases must meet the eTech Ohio minimum specifications if you used local funds. Any equipment purchased prior to the receipt of SchoolNet funds using local funds cannot be reimbursed to the district
9. After completing my online application, when can my district expect to receive funds?     Top
Upon approval of SchoolNet Plus Grade 8 application, district allocations will be processed within two-to-three weeks.
10. My district was not able to meet the 1:5 computer ratio in Grade 7. Is it possible to use SchoolNet Plus Grade 8 funds to place computers in grade 7 classrooms?     Top
The legislative intent of SchoolNet Plus Grade 8 is to provide computers in Grade 8 classrooms. Districts must use SchoolNet Plus Grade 8 funds for Grade 8. Once the 1:5 ratio for Grade 8 is met, the program's intent is for the districts to purchase computers consecutively higher grades, starting in Grade 9 and continuing to Grade 12 as the 1:5 ratio is met. However, districts may use up to 30% of their funds for a combination of the following: professional development, addition or replacement of computers in other grades, software, peripherals, recycling of obsolete equipment electrical upgrades and technical support.
11. Does my district need a current approved technology plan in order to receive SchoolNet Plus Grade 8 funding?     Top
All eligible districts must have a current, eTech Ohio (formally Ohio SchoolNet) approved technology plan that is less than three-years-old to qualify for SchoolNet Plus Grade 8.
12. How much of my SchoolNet Plus Grade 8 funds can my district use to lease laptop/notebooks computers?     Top
While there is no limit on the amount of SchoolNet Plus funds districts may use to lease laptops/notebooks, districts must ensure that at the end of the lease period, computers are available in classrooms where the laptops/notebooks were used. Statewide contract pricing is available only for purchase. If the district leases equipment, the district must be prepared to support the lease in future years, if SchoolNet Plus funds become limited, and must meet eTech Ohio minimum specifications.
13. I have printed and completed the Assurance Form. How and where should I send the form?     Top
Please mail the Assurance form, including all original signatures, to:
eTech Ohio Commission
Attn: Renee Evans
2323 West Fifth Ave.
Suite 100
Columbus, OH 43204
14. My district has met the legislative intent of providing 1:5 computer ratio in Grades K-7. What can I do with the funding?     Top
Once the 1:5 ratio is met for Grade 8, the intent of the SchoolNet Plus Grade 8 legislation is for the districts to purchase computers for Grade 8 and in successive manner for Grade 9 and higher as the 1:5 ratio is met.
15. What is the timeline for application, approval and funding for eligible districts?     Top
Wednesday, February 13, 2008 Application Deadline
Thursday, November 13, 2008 Funds Expended (entirely spent) Deadline
Thursday, December 11, 2008 Final Expenditure Report (FER) due
16. Why is my school listed as $0.00 allocation?     Top
SchoolNet Plus was funded in FY06 through the Tobacco Settlement Trust Fund, and eTech Ohio received an estimated $6.27M in FY06 to bring funding for Grade 8. Due to insufficient funds, we were unable to provide funding to all districts in FY06. Additional schools were funded in FY07. The final round of funding for Grade 8 will be in FY08. Schools that received funding in FY06 or FY07 will see a $0.00 allocation for FY08 because they were funded in an earlier round.
17. I'm listed as a $0.00 allocation, do I need to apply?     Top
No. Once an allocation amount is awarded to your district, you will be eligible to apply.
18. Can I purchase Smartboards with SN+ dollars?     Top
Yes. Once the 1:5 ratio is met in the targeted grade, up to 30% of the SchoolNet Plus funds may be used to purchase additional equipment provided it fulfills the educational technology needs specified in your district's technology plan.
19. Is equipment recycling an allowable expenditure?     Top
Yes. Once the 1:5 ratio is met in the targeted grade, up to 30% of the SchoolNet Plus funds may be used for these purposes provided it fulfills educational technology needs specified in your district's technology plan.
20. Can my district use SchoolNet Plus funds to upgrade/replace aging equipment?     Top
Once the 1:5 ratio is met in the targeted grade, up to 30% of the SchoolNet Plus funds may be used for these purposes provided it fulfills educational technology needs specified in your district's technology plan.
21. Why does my application status read "You have already submitted the maximum number of applications for this opportunity."?     Top
Once accessing "My applications," you will notice that, if completed, your technology plan status and BETA08-09 status should display as complete. Therefore, even if you have not submitted any further information, once you open the SchoolNet Plus opportunity the technology plan status and BETA08-09 status are automatically updated as complete and the application is officially opened at that point of initial entry.

There may only be one owner of the application per district. If your technology coordinator begins the application, he or she needs to complete it. If a person other than the application owner attempts to access the application, they will receive a message that reads "You have already submitted the maximum number of applications for this opportunity." If you would like the application owner to be altered, please contact [Invalid Content Reference]
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